1
Running head: SPECIAL COLLECTIONS AT USIU
Special Collections at the United States International University Library in Kenya:
Strategies for Development and Implementation
Marisa Diehl, Michele Gibney, Angela Graves, Carla Siqueiros, Jocelyn Stilwell
November 5, 2007
International and Comparative Librarianship
LIBR 281 – Fall 2007
School of Library and Information Science – San Jose State University
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
Abstract
Due to the completion of a brand-new library building at the United States
International University (USIU) in Nairobi, Kenya, opportunities for collection
development at the library have appeared. This paper outlines three strategies for taking
advantage of the special collections holdings and developing them over time. The authors
provide research on creating an Africana collection, a United Nations (U.N.) Depository,
and a UNESCO Memory of the World Program digital archive. These efforts are aimed
at increasing indigenous knowledge and raising the profile of the university
internationally. The global implications of this project dovetail with the university’s
stated mission of expanding diversity in Kenya.
2
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
Special Collections at the United States International University in Kenya:
Strategies for Development and Implementation
Admission to Kenyan universities is steadily increasing and the necessity for
libraries to match the increasing demand for efficient, relevant information is paramount.
While several academic libraries exist in Kenya to address scholarly and technical
research, the United States International University (USIU, n.d.) in Nairobi is in a unique
position to offer its students a brand new, recently opened library. By increasing its
square footage and technology infrastructure, USIU will be able to explore various ways
in which to dedicate the new space. It is the purpose of this report to suggest the
development of several new collections to support the academic programs offered by the
university.
The head librarian of USIU shared an interest in creating new specific collections,
including starting an Africana collection, becoming a United Nations (U.N.) Depository,
and identifying other relevant new collections. Though the authors attempted to
communicate with Dr. Kaane, due to time restrictions and the head librarian’s busy
schedule, no responses were obtained to interview questions (see Appendix A). However
based on independent research done by the authors, the strategies espoused in this
document should prove helpful in creating a special collection at USIU. The authors
reviewed potential primary and secondary stakeholders, the mission of the university, and
opportunities for USIU to become a greater presence in the national and international
research community when analyzing the potential of these new collections. Creation and
support of these special collections could build the capacity of scholars, librarians, and
fellow libraries to support indigenous knowledge production and contribute to larger
3
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
social, cultural, and economic issues (LaFond, 2004, 231). After considering these
factors, the authors believe the United States International University Library in Nairobi,
Kenya would be able to better serve its users by creating a Special Collections area in the
new library composed of a dedicated Africana collection, a U.N. Depository, and by
becoming a member of the UNESCO Memory of the World Program.
USIU’s new library reflects the commitment to the school’s mission and vision,
which is to “provide a diverse community of learners with high quality, broad-based
educational programs that promote inquiry, mastery and application of knowledge,
concepts and skills while fostering ethical leadership and responsible service to Kenya,
Africa and the challenging global community” (Mission and Vision, n.d.). The global
perspective of the university and library begins with the primary stakeholders: the USIU
community.
Students
USIU is steadily growing with a student population of 3,420 students. Slightly
more than half are female, with approximately 40 nationalities represented (USIU Profile,
n.d.). The annual number of graduates averages at about 800 students, which adds to the
current 8,000 alumni who participate in school donations, activities, and networking.
The university offers several undergraduate programs, which include international
relations, psychology, journalism, business, and hospitality management. Business and
organizational management make up the majority of graduate degrees. Currently, no
special collection in the library specifically addresses these programs. Despite the
diversity of these areas of study, collections focusing on indigenous knowledge
4
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
(Africana) and international relations (U.N. materials) address a variety of topics within
each program. They can help support curriculum on a regional and international level.
USIU has also fostered a strong study-abroad program via relationships with
American, European, and Asian schools. These ties create a direct link with distant
scholarly communities once students return to their home countries. Foreign students
have the incredible opportunity to become more involved in learning about their host
culture through special exhibits from special collections and becoming life-long
stakeholders as USIU alumni within their home universities. Approximately 45,000
students are enrolled in one or more of the six state universities in Kenya. This represents
about 25% of Kenyan students who qualify for admission (Background Note: Kenya,
2007, “People”). An increase for higher education will place more pressure on schools to
distinguish themselves and their resources, particularly with information resources.
Faculty
USIU employs 63 full-time and 126 part-time faculty. They also recognize 11
faculty emeritus. The majority of faculty hold doctorate degrees and become fellows at
other research institutions (USIU Profile, n.d., ¶ 5). Faculty and staff have a vested
interest in special collections to promote USIU as a center of primary research. Although
inter-library lending relationships may exist with neighboring institutions, making the
USIU special collections a feature of the new library will create local opportunities for
faculty to highlight and promote their own research. These collections will give USIU the
marketability to attract new staff.
5
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
Scholars and Government Workers
Research suggests that libraries are playing a significant role in implementing and
modifying a country’s information agenda (Chan & Costa, 2005, p. 143). Scholars, as
well as policy makers will benefit from increased resources in the special collections and
publicize the presence of the school when researchers cite the library in reports and
findings. The United Nations Office in Nairobi employs 800 international staff and 2,000
national staff (About UNON, 2006). Although there are several depositories and a U.N.
information center, there is currently no depository for UNESCO materials. Also, with
over 15 other U.N. agencies that deal with matters directly affecting African populations,
accessibility to materials covering the diverse cultures of Kenya is imperative. A local
Africana collection that differs from neighboring academic collections can increase and
improve services to these U.N. organizations. It can also contribute resources to the many
non-profit agencies in Nairobi and foster partnerships for the school.
Adding an Africana Collection at USIU: Benefits and Implementation
The Collection as a Priority
USIU should take advantage of the unique Africana materials they have in their
collection and fill a niche market while planning ahead for continued development to
provide a sustainable resource to their users. Stephen Mutala (2004), a lecturer at the
University of Botswana, states that “[t]hough Africa is rich in songs and cultural artifacts,
one hardly finds any songs…that have been collated and repackaged on libraries’ shelves.
Similarly there are hardly any elaborate special or community information collections”
(p. 284). It is this kind of gap in the offerings at African universities that USIU should
strive to fill. By creating an Africana collection, USIU will be able to offer users
6
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
materials which promote national heritage. This goal is a lofty one but highly important
to national pride. A 2003 meeting of the Eastern and Southern African Branch of the
International Council on Archives (ESARBICA) wrote a declaration attesting to this
need: “the Africans have lacked access to records created in colonial capitals about
African history and this has resulted in the disempowerment of the African peoples” (as
cited in Mnjama, 2005, p. 467). Creating an Africana collection would be highly
beneficial to researchers interested in regional African history, culture, and politics. For
example, a potential collection that already exists at USIU and which could be
incorporated into the Africana Collection is the models of Kenyan businesses developed
for the Business School found online at USIU here:
http://www.usiu.ac.ke/gbsn/case.studies.htm.
Short-term Strategies
The premier strategy that should be implemented is the writing of an acquisition
policy. By clearly stating the library’s goals and limiting the scope of the collection, a
better articulated vision will be gained which can maximize funding, concentrate on user
needs, and complement the parent university’s mission (Spalding and Wang, 2006,
p.496). A second important step will be to ensure funding of the project. Joseph Kavulya
(2006) from Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Nairobi argues that in Africa the
financial support of library services is “small in scale, piecemeal and lacking in
coordination” (p. 22). USIU may have better funding than some government supported
universities, but adequate funds for a new collection should not be assumed. The third
short-term step will, of course, be collecting, organizing, and describing the new
collection while finding it a permanent home in the new library space.
7
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
In addition to implementing these steps, methods for marketing the new collection
will need to be undertaken. In the short term, signs should be posted in the library and the
website should be updated to showcase all new developments in the special collections
arena. Emails and/or flyers can also be sent out to all stakeholders at the university.
Long-term Strategies
There are several long-term strategies which will take time to realize but which
should commence as soon as possible. These include: canvassing alumni and faculty for
archival donations of their papers, executing a digitization project of key items in the
collection (possibly tied in to the UNESCO Memory of the World Program), pursuing
ties to other academic libraries for an exchange of materials, and continued training for
staff in archives and preservation management. Though these are all important steps, this
paper will now focus on two of them to offer suggestions in greater depth.
Digital libraries serve a useful function in allowing access to distance users and
can be highly beneficial in serving the information needs of the knowledge-seeking
community (Bawden, 2005, p. 87). Using technology such as optical character
recognition (OCR), will allow researchers to focus on specific elements in their research
and search an entire database of special collection materials (Phillips, 2002, p. 52).
The process of “twinning”, cooperating with another university library in the
exchange of information and materials, could provide USIU with support and an
expanded list of offerings. Co-operative library systems permit libraries to share their
resources while reducing the pressure on funds and allows each library to concentrate on
core materials while depending on the other for peripheral ones (Boakye, 1994, p. 17).
8
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
An additional bonus is that knowledge sharing can facilitate the economic, scientific, and
cultural capabilities of countries at differing levels of development (Allard, 2002, p. 369).
In order to promote these long-term strategies, a few marketing maneuvers could
be observed; these include: email and letters for contacting alumni and faculty about
donations; using the website and flyers to request donations and advertise digitalization
projects; developing a catalog of the collection for co-operative library integration; and
writing papers, books and finding aids for and about the collection while actively
pursuing opportunities for publication and conference presentation.
Evaluation of Strategies
The purpose of evaluation is to address whether the unit under review has been
successful; including strengths and weaknesses and, most importantly, whether or not the
project has “improved library services to the various user segments” (Kavulya, 2004,
p.121). In order to evaluate the success of these strategies in implementing an Africana
collection at USIU, the library should track the usage of the collection. Surveys on the
ease of research and layout of the collection may be taken in order to improve the
offerings to the users. In addition, donations of archival materials by prominent alumni,
faculty, and internal and external groups should be noted in order to determine the
sustainability of having an ever-expanding collection of unique items.
The acquisitions librarian at the University of Ghana, Gifty Boakye (1994) wrote
that “highly trained library staff become ineffective without the necessary resources and a
beautiful library building becomes a white elephant without the material needed for the
use of the target clientele” (p. 12). It is important for USIU to include an Africana
collection at their library in order to highlight cultural history, aid research and study, and
9
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
compete amongst international offerings at other university libraries. By incorporating an
Africana collection to the library, USIU will be taking full advantage of their current
unique materials and expanding services to their users. In order to proceed, USIU should
consider the suggestions made in this section and review other Africana collections
around the globe (see Appendices B and C for university collections in Africa and the
United States).
Adding a U.N. Depository Library at USIU: Challenges and Opportunities
United Nations Depository Library Guidelines
The United Nations Depository program provides one library in each state or
territory with free publications. Other libraries in the same state may also apply for U.N.
Depository status, but their approval is not assured (United Nations [U.N.], 2005b). In
deciding whether to grant a library depository status, the U.N. will consider several
factors: the expected level of use the documents will receive; the “degree of
development” of the library; and the distribution of U.N. depositories in the state or
geographic area (U.N., 2005b, ¶ 6). As a general rule, the U.N. policy is that “no more
than one depository shall be designated in any one city” (U.N., 2005b, ¶ 6).
Duplicate U.N. libraries are expected to pay an annual fee for participating in the
program (U.N., 2005b). The U.N. offers its depositories two levels of access: partial
deposit and full deposit. The partial deposit entitles users to receive U.N. official records,
the U.N. treaty series, all U.N. periodicals, all sales publications, and local masthead
documents. In addition to these sources, the full deposit also includes general masthead
documents and complete records of the Security Council meetings (U.N., 2005b; U.N.,
2005a). Both options include documents in the library’s one chosen language (U.N.,
10
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
2005b). An additional depository in a developing country, such as Kenya, would be
expected to cost an annual contribution of two hundred and fifty U.S. dollars to become a
partial depository, and five hundred U.S. dollars to become a full depository (U.N.,
2005a).
While the U.N. depository system provides access to many U.N. publications, it
does not distribute everything the U.N. and its affiliates produce (Church, 2004). Notably
missing from the system are any “U.N. specialized agency publications” including
documents from UNESCO and other bodies (Church, 2004, p. 12). To acquire these
publications, a library must either purchase them or set up a separate depository
agreement with the specialized agency.
Creating a U.N. Depository Collection at USIU
Kenya already has two existing U.N. depositories, one of which is in Nairobi, the
city where USIU is located. Therefore, USIU’s acceptance into the program is by no
means assured (United Nations [U.N.] Depository Libraries, 2004). To successfully
become a U.N. depository, USIU will need to overcome two hurdles: it will need to
convince the U.N. to allow a second depository in the city of Nairobi; and it will need to
raise the annual contribution amount discussed previously.
The general policy of the U.N. is that no more than one depository library should
be in each city (U.N., 2005b). Although this is not an absolute, the U.N. provides no
guidance on when a second depository in one city may be acceptable. Normally, when
deciding whether to accept a new library, the U.N. considers factors such as user need
and library management (U.N., 2005b). It seems likely that the U.N. would examine the
same types of factors here, although their analysis may be more stringent.
11
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
In order to successfully petition the U.N. for depository status, USIU will need to
differentiate itself and its goals from the existing depository in Nairobi. The University of
Nairobi (UoN) has been a depository for decades, and currently is listed as a partial
depository with documents in English (U.N. Depository Libraries, 2004). From
examining their website, it does not appear that the University actively acquires
documents from specialized U.N. agencies like UNESCO. To differentiate itself from the
University of Nairobi, the USIU Library should actively create plans to seek out and
acquire information from specialized U.N. agencies. This approach, when done in a way
that takes into account user needs, can show the U.N. that USIU has unique and
legitimate need for a U.N. depository.
Another way in which USIU can differentiate itself from UoN is through utilizing
effective library planning and management techniques. According to a strategic plan
found on Nairobi’s website, the University is struggling with low employee morale,
inadequate staffing, low IT knowledge, and other administrative problems (University of
Nairobi, 2005). Ohene Sakyi Awuku (1995), the Law, Political and Administrative
Studies Librarian at the University of Botswana Library, asserts that many of these
problems are common throughout parts of Africa, which would provide USIU with the
opportunity to be a regional leader in effective library practices (pp. 24-33). By creating
sound policies, and enforcing them, USIU could show that it has the knowledge to run an
efficient U.N. depository.
In addition to differentiating itself, the library also needs to think about how it can
pay the U.N. depository annual contribution fee if it is accepted into the program. This
fee, which ranges from two hundred and fifty U.S. dollars upwards, is a significant
12
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
amount of money. As USIU works on establishing sound managerial and collection
policies, it should incorporate into these policies increased marketing and advocacy
campaigns. By getting students, faculty, and the community interested in the depository,
the library can raise the necessary contribution amount. These advocacy efforts will also
show the U.N. that the depository would be a valuable part of the USIU community.
By setting realistic management, collection, and marketing goals, USIU can
improve its chances of being accepted into the U.N. depository program and of making
the program self sufficient.
Becoming a Member of the UNESCO Memory of the World Program
Benefits of the UNESCO Memory of the World Program
In addition to developing special collections, it may be beneficial for the library to
highlight and promote some of the unique qualities of the region as well as the collection
itself by submitting part of its collection of local archives to UNESCO’s Memory of the
World Program. This program concentrates on digitizing, preserving, and disseminating
archival materials from around the world (Memory of the World, 2007). Participation in
the Memory of the World Program would enhance USIU’s reputation, spread information
about the depth and importance of USIU’s archival collection, and ensure that a lasting
record of these archives would be available to researchers throughout the world during
the foreseeable future.
The process of digitizing these archives would add value to USIU’s collection. As
articulated by Fattahi and Afshar in their 2006 article “Added Value of Information and
Information Systems”:
13
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
Different interpretations of…information are always possible. … This property,
i.e. motivating consumers to react and provide their interpretations in the form of
new interpretations or adaptations and creation of new works, is probably a prime
example of how value is added to information. (p. 136).
By making the information available to a wider audience, the University will not only be
adding value to the information itself, it will be inspiring appreciation and dissemination
of Kenyan culture throughout the world.
Another benefit of participating in this program is that it has an established
marketing sub-committee, and by participating in the selection process, librarians around
the world are informed about the submitting library’s archive collection (Meetings of the
Marketing Subcommittee, 2007). This promotes the collection within the profession
itself. If the submission is accepted, it gives a library the opportunity to generate a press
release, and inform the local media that they are getting global exposure. That informs
the local community about both the library itself and the archival collections as a whole,
in addition to the highlighted collection. Further ideas for promotional activities are
available by seeing what other Memory of the World libraries have done in the past.
Possible Contributions
A number of countries in Africa have already contributed collections to the
program. In fact, South Africa has contributed four archival collections, including the
transcripts of the case against Nelson Mandela. However, at the present time there are no
contributions from Kenya (Africa, 2007). Any collection of historical archives would be
appropriate for submission to this program, but it would be best to submit a collection
that is specific to Kenya’s legal, cultural, or social history. Any collection that would
14
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
educate the world about Kenya’s unique heritage would make an excellent contribution.
For instance, photographs of Kenyan Chiefs, predating the British Colonial era would be
an excellent addition to the Memory of the World Program. (Although the interview with
Dr. Kaane did not disclose such a collection, one does exist at the Kenya National
Archives. You can find it here: http://www.kenyarchives.go.ke/collection.htm listed
under “Information Service Department”). It is also possible to submit non-traditional
archives, such as musical archives, as suggested by Elizabeth Watson (2003) in
“Preserving Our Past/Guarding Their Future: The Role of Information Professionals in
Archiving Cultural Heritage” (p. 2). Another important facet of cultural heritage that is
often overlooked in digitized archives is oral histories. Masegonyana Keakopa (1998),
Lecturer at the University of Botswana claims that:
These oral traditions are engraved in the minds and hearts of the old people who
are our moving archival repositories. The oft-quoted and well-known African
scholar, Hampate Ba, said that in Africa, when an old man dies, it is a whole
library burnt down. (p. 89).
UNESCO Memory of the World Program Guidelines
The application process for becoming a part of the program is fairly
straightforward. The instructions on how to submit a nomination for a project are
available online, as is the nomination form (How to Submit a Nomination, 2007).
Because USIU is in the process of hiring a new senior archivist (Job Vacancies, n.d.) it
would be possible to have the new staff member take charge of this project from the start.
This project would require a considerable amount of work during the application and
15
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
digitization phase, however, once the collection is added to the Memory of the World
Program, it will require little maintenance.
If the archivist is interested in continuing to work with the Memory of the World
Program, it appears that many of the countries which contributed archives in the past are
now a part of the “National Memory of the World Committees in Africa” and he or she
could build valuable relationships by taking part in these committees. In addition, other
countries have submitted more than one collection of archives to the Program (Africa,
2007, see South Africa), and USIU could continue to promote its collection and Kenya’s
heritage by contributing further in the future.
Summary
Developing a special collections section at USIU will raise the profile of the
university within the national and international scene while providing much-needed
resources for researchers. The collections will also promote indigenous knowledge
creation and sharing. This paper provides strategies for creating three collections at
USIU: Africana, U.N. Depository, and UNESCO Memory of the World Program. Even if
the university decides to pursue other collection opportunities, the strategies put forth in
this paper provide a solid basis for development. The section on Africana materials
development offers short and long-term solutions to utilizing current items at the library
and expanding with additional donations over time. The methods for becoming a U.N.
Depository are laid forth in a section which details the application and challenges facing
USIU. The section on UNESCO Memory of the World Program provides an option for
raising the profile of archives held by the university while ensuring their preservation for
future generations.
16
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
Conclusion
Through the course of their research and writing, these authors have come to the
conclusion that this university has great potential for special collections development. In
order to fully realize this potential and expand their global presence the library should
consider garnering assistance from external interested parties. Using an international
internship program to employ library and information science graduate students—such as
these authors—would be a genuine benefit in further creating the collections.
The collection which poses the most immediate benefit to the university is the
Africana collection which should be developed quickly in order to better serve the
internal stakeholders at the university as well as external researchers. The included
appendices should prove a great boon to the library in offering information on
comparable university libraries both in Africa and the United States. They may also
provide the basis for creating collaborative ties between other university libraries and
USIU. The U.N Depository collection should be considered, but the challenges facing
USIU’s becoming a member of the program may be prohibitive to their inclusion. The
alternate option of becoming a depository for a specialized agency such as UNESCO,
World Health Organization, or UNICEF could be pursued and further research should be
done to explore the option more fully. Finally, the UNESCO Memory of the World
Program offers a chance to begin digitizing portions of USIU’s special collections for
posterity while joining an international organization that will offer support and further
opportunities to USIU’s library development.
17
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
References
About UNON. (2006). Retrieved October 30, 2007 from the United Nations Office at
Nairobi Web site: http://www.unon.org/about.php
Africa. (2007). Retrieved from the UNESCO Memory of the World Web site:
http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.phpURL_ID=3748&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html.
Allard, S. (2002). Digital libraries and organizations for international collaboration and
knowledge creation. The Electronic Library, 20(5), 369-381.
Awuku, O. S. (1995). Productivity in university libraries of developing countries: A west
and southern African perspective. Library Management, 16(3), 24-33.
Background note: Kenya. (2007, October). Retrieved November 2, 2007 from the U.S.
Department of State Web site: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2962.htm.
Bawden, D., P. Vilar, and V. Zabukovec. (2005). Education and training for digital
librarians: A Slovenia/UK comparison. Aslib Proceedings: New Information
Perspectives, 57(1), 85-98.
Boakye, G. (1994). The academic libraries of developing countries: Towards effective
book provision in the face of austerity. New Library World, 95(1116), 12-17.
Chan, L. & Costa, S. (2005). Participation in the global knowledge commons: Challenges
and opportunities for research dissemination in developing countries. New
Library World, 106(3/4), 141-163.
Church, J. A. (2004). Filling in the gaps: Issues and strategies for collection development
in United Nations depository libraries. Journal of Government Information, 30, 819.
18
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
Fattahi, R. & Afshar, E. (2006). Added value of information and information systems: A
conceptual approach. Library Review, (55)2, 132-147.
How to Submit a Nomination. (2007). Retrieved from the UNESCO Memory of the
World Web site: http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.phpURL_ID=1893&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html.
Job Vacancies. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 2007 from the United States International
University Web Site:
http://www.usiu.ac.ke/administration/vacancies/hr2007/SeArchivist.htm.
Kavulya, J. M. (2004). Marketing of library services: A case study of selected university
libraries in Kenya. Library Management, 25(3), 118-126.
Kavulya, J. M. (2006). Trends in funding of university libraries in Kenya: A survey. The
Bottom Line: Managing Library Finances, 19(1), 22-30.
Keakopa, M. (1998). The role of the archivist in the collection and preservation of oral
traditions. S. A. Archives Journal, 40, 87-93.
LaFond, D. M. (2004). Library capacity building in Africa or the exportation of
technolust? Discerning partnership models and revitalization in the age of
globalization. The Reference Librarian, 24(87/88), 209-72.
Mission and Vision. (n.d.). Retrieved October 31, 2007 from the United States
International University Web site: http://www.usiu.ac.ke/about.usiu/mission.htm
Mnjama, N. (2005). Archival landscape in Eastern and Southern Africa. Library
Management, 26(8/9), 457-470.
Mutala, S. (2004). IT diffusion in Sub-Saharan Africa: Implications for developing and
managing digital libraries. New Library World, 105(1202/1203), 281-289.
19
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
Phillips, Faye. (2002). Managing the special collections department in the digital world:
A case study of cooperation and innovation. OCLC Systems & Services, 18(1),
51-58.
Spalding, H. & J. Wang. (2006). The challenge and opportunities of marketing academic
libraries in the USA: Experiences of US academic libraries with global
application. Library Management, 27(6/7), 494-504.
United Nations. (2005a). Instructions for depository libraries receiving United Nations
material. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC
/GEN/N95/242/86/PDF/N9524286.pdf?OpenElement.
United Nations. (2005b). Principles governing United Nations depository libraries.
Retrieved October 11, 2007, from http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC
/GEN/N95/242/86/PDF/N9524286.pdf?OpenElement.
United Nations Depository Libraries. (2004). Kenya. Retrieved October 18, 2007, from
http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/deplib/countries/keny.htm.
University of Nairobi. (2005). University of Nairobi library services strategic plan 20052010. Retrieved October 28, 2007, from http://library.uonbi.ac.ke/website
/STRATEGIC-PLAN-2005-2010.pdf.
USIU profile. (n.d.). Retrieved October 31, 2007 from the United States
International University Web site:
http://www.usiu.ac.ke/about.usiu/why.study.htm
Watson, E. (2003). Preserving our past/guarding their future: the Role of information
professionals in archiving cultural heritage. S. A. Archives Journal, 43, 1-12.
20
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
Appendix A
Questions sent to Dr. Kaane at USIU
Sent on October 16, 2007
U.N. Depository
Why does the USIU Library wish to become a U.N. Depository? Is there a particular
agency of the U.N. whose materials you are interested in?
Since there are 3 libraries (University of Nairobi, United Nations Information Centre, and
Moi University) in Kenya that are designated U.N. Depositories, are you able to access
materials at these institutions?
Special Collections
What special collections beside the American Studies collection does the USIU Library
contain?
What special collections are you interested in developing e.g. manuscripts, photographs,
papers, rare books, archives, etc.?
Are there particular subjects/ subject headings you would like us to investigate?
Have there been any requests or suggestions made by faculty, staff or alumni in regards
to expanding or developing new collections?
What is the scope of the Africana collection that you are interested in? Would the
collection be focused on modern or historical materials? How would these materials
relate geographically- would the scope be regional, national, or international?
To form a special collection at your library, what processes/reviews will need to be
completed with the university?
What is the library’s current budget for new materials? What would a possible budget be
for developing and maintaining a Special Collection?
Is there the potential for digitization of any portion of the emergent special collections?
Can you describe the space you have planned to use for a special collections area (size,
display capabilities, amount of material that can be held, etc)?
What preservation methods are in place to take care of special collection materials?
Do any of the current materials require specialized preservation care?
21
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
Is there a collection of faculty dissertations/ thesis? If not, could this be a potential
collection?
Library Services and Practices
Can we have a general scope of your materials, including: numbers of books, periodicals,
newspapers, microfilm, form and fiche?
What interlibrary loan materials does USIU have access to? Do you participate in ILLinternational library lending?
Do you participate in any research collaboration programs or sister-library programs?
Do you have significant donations of books or other materials?
Does the library employ anyone on staff whose job duties include donor relations and/or
grant writing?
How involved are alumni in donating materials or personal papers?
Are members of the general public allowed access to your collection (besides alumni) for
a fee or via membership?
How do you think that adding new special collections will impact your patron base?
22
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
Appendix B
African Universities with Archives/Special Collections
Africa Nazarene University
http://www.anu.ac.ke/library/default.htm
Kenya
Description: Africana division: This is a special division that collects works produced by
African authors or works of topical interest to Africa. This is designed to further
readership in African literature and knowledge on the African continent.
It has also the Maasai collection, which includes materials focusing on the Maasai culture
and traditions, literature on the Maa tribes, works on topical interest to the Maasai
community and those authored by Maasai authors. It is a deliberate effort by the Africa
Nazarene University to recognize the surrounding community being located in the
Maasai land plains. This is the line with the Universities' core values of Character,
Competence and Community.
American University in Cairo
http://lib.aucegypt.edu/screens/rbscl.html
Philip Croom, Director, Rare Books and Special Collections Library
797-6356
Egypt
Description: The Rare Books and Special Collections Library were inaugurated in the
spring of 1992 in a restored turn of the century villa on Sheikh Rihan Street. It operates a
scholarly research facility and a teaching resource center specializing in the civilization
of ancient, medieval, and modern Egypt and the region. The current holdings of over
50,000 books, manuscripts, photographs, slides, maps, and plans attract researchers from
all over the world. The special collections include the Creswell Library of Islamic Art
and Architecture, and the collections of Max Debbane, Selim Hassan, Labib Habachi,
Mahmoud Saba, and most recently of Hassan Fathy and Van Leo. The AUC archives are
also located here. The holdings of the Rare Books and Special Collections Library are
searchable in the AUC Libraries' Online Catalog.
Daystar University
Nairobi Campus
P.O. Box 44400-00100
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: 020 723 002(3)(4)
http://www.daystar.ac.ke/acedemicfacilities.htm
Description: The libraries are currently subscribing to over 50 print academic journals
and have access to over 16,000 articles (7,000 full text) of electronic journals through
EBSCO online databases. The library also houses more than 80 titles of local and
international newspapers and magazines. Other resources include government and NGOs
reports, publications from international bodies such as U.N., World Bank etc, research
reports, thesis and dissertations.
23
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
Egerton University
http://www.egerton.ac.ke/academics/library/index.php
Kenya
Description: The Essential Electronic Agricultural Library [TEEAL] at the Utafiti
Building consists of 162 journals stored in 337CD-ROMs.
Programme for the Enhancement of Research Information [PERI] electronic
journal subscriptions.
Centre for Gender and Women Development
The Reading Tent Library.
Kenya National Archives
http://www.kenyarchives.go.ke/
Kenya National Archives and Documentation Service
P.O. Box 49210
Nairobi - 0010
Kenya
Tel: +254-20-2228959
Fax: +254-20-2228020
E-mail: info@kenyarchives.go.ke
Kenyatta University
http://www.ku.ac.ke/library.html
Description: Moi Library offers a user centered, subject-based information service. It is
organized into seven major subject libraries, namely: Africana & Special Collections,
Education, Library & Information Sciences, Health Sciences, Humanities, ICT, Science
& Technology and the Social Sciences. Growth is anticipated in other subject areas as the
university expands.
Makerere University
http://mulib.mak.ac.ug/sections/africana.html
Makerere University Library,
P. O. Box 7062
Kampala
Tel: 256-41-531041
Fax: 256-41-540374
E-Mail: universitylibrarian@mulib.mak.ac.ug
Description: The Africana / Special Collection section is located on the 4th level of the
Main Library. Africana Materials include books & periodicals related to East Africa,
general Africana books by explorers and travelers, plus books and documents on Uganda.
The collection is significant both for research and as the primary depository of
Ugandan history. It contains papers, letters, notes, reports, dairies of events, books of
history, travel, church memoranda, registers and journals from individuals, private &
official organizations important to the Ugandan heritage. The section also holds
important historical documents referring to Kenya and Tanzania during the early years of
colonization. Most of the early materials date as far back as the late nineteenth century,
and the initial half of the twentieth century to independence in 1962. In 1958, by an Act
24
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
of Parliament, Makerere University Library became a Depository Library for all Ugandan
Publications. This makes it the richest collection of documents on Uganda.
Theses and Dissertations: This collection consists mainly of Undergraduate and
Post-Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
University Collection: In general the University Collection is limited to archival
material and to works, which are preponderantly of Makerere University interest.
Newspapers: This collection comprises of copies of the first newspaper in Uganda
to date.
Manuscripts and Archives: This is a collection of materials, mostly of nongovernment nature consisting of minutes of the Uganda Chamber of Commerce from its
beginning in 1905 to 1951, Sir Apolo Kagwa’s papers, Apolo Kivebulaya’s diaries, Ham
Mukasa and Esera Kabali’s papers. There are also Church Missionary Society files within
these holdings.
Microfilms: The library has a collection of about 2,900 35mm roll film of
periodical and newspaper back issues, manuscripts and theses.
Photographic Collection: The library has a very rich collection of photographs
and negatives that date back to the late 19th Century. Most of the photographs depict
events of historical interest in Uganda.
International Organizations: Makerere University Library is a designated
Depository for the United Nations and a number of other International Bodies.
Maseno University
http://www.maseno.ac.ke/library.htm
Tel: 254-057-351620/351622
Fax: 254-057-051221
P.O Box Private Bag
Maseno
lib@maseno.ac.ke
Description: Africana Collection
Moi University
http://www.mu.ac.ke/library/index.html
Dr. Tirong arap Tanui,
University Librarian,
Moi University
P.O. Box 3900
Eldoret, Kenya
Tel: +254 (0)53 43720
Email: library@mu.ac.ke
Description: This is the main library and is located at the main campus of Moi
University which is 35km from Eldoret town, off the Nakuru-Nairobi highway. The
library overall administration operates from the Margaret Thatcher Library (MTL)
building which accommodates both the library and the School of Information Sciences. It
has 74 members of staff, a user population of 6000, 500000 volumes and seating capacity
of 2500 readers. It has the following departments: Technical Services, Customer
Services, Systems and Special Collection.
25
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
The Library is automated and is also connected to the Internet. Unique features to
this library include the Children's Section, Digital Library, United Nations, Centre for
Refugee Studies, World Bank Collections and the Cultural Artifacts Section.
The MTL serves the Schools of Information of Sciences, Engineering, Arts and
Social Studies, Education, Environmental Studies, Law, Business and Economics and
Human Resource Development.
It is a depository for all the theses produced in the University and other research
findings. It is also a centre for research both for the University and the public.
Mombasa Polytechnic University
http://www.mombasapoly.ac.ke/library.html
The Mombasa Polytechnic
P.O. Box 90420
Mombasa-Kenya,
Tel: +254-41-2492222/3/4 490571,
Mobile: +254-724-955377, +254-733-955377,
Fax: +254-2495632,
Tom Mboya Avenue
Mombasa City
Description: Archives
North-west University
http://www.puk.ac.za/biblioteek/specialcollections_e.html
11 Hoffman Street
POTCHEFSTROOM
2531
South Africa
Tel: +27 (0)18 299 2000
Fax: +27 (0)18 299 2999
fpbalg@nwu.ac.za
Description: The Ferdinand Postma Library houses a number of special collections:
Carney Africana collection: The main part of this collection belonged to Mr. ER
Carney and was donated to the library in 1949 by this daughter, Ms CG Carney.
Rare books: This collection consists of original editions of old books as well as
facsimile editions of well known documents like the Gutenberg Bible.
Hertzog collection: The collection consists largely of XVII - XIX century works
on Roman Dutch law. It was donated to the library in 1955 by Dr Albert Hertzog.
The Postma collection: The library of Prof Ferdinand Postma, after whom the
library was named, is preserved as a unit. Prof Postma served as principal of the then
Potchefstroom University College for Christian Higher Education from 1921 until 1950,
shortly before independence.
"Africana" dissertations and theses: One copy of every thesis and dissertation
completed at the Puk is stored in a separate collection and is available for use in the
library only under highly exceptional circumstances.
Collection of old and recent Afrikaans literature, literary criticism, and linguistics:
26
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
This is a new collection aimed at the preservation of mainly Afrikaans literary works in
an endeavor to build as complete a collection as possible.
Children's and juvenile book collection: The collection has been made accessible
for use by all students, but especially by those taking courses in creative writing and
children's literature.
Ossewa-Brandwag archive and museum: This collection consists of archival
material and museum objects relating to the Ossewa-Brandwag, a cultural organization,
which developed into a resistance movement against the war effort during the period
1039-1945. Upon the dissolution of the OB in 1954 the Grand Council decided to donate
the archives and records to the Ferdinand Postma Library for storage and use, but they
were placed under embargo for 10 years so that convenient arrangement could only take
place during the sixties. Gaps were then discovered, leading to a renewed collecting
campaign.
The material is separated into the following categories:
Archival material: Documents, Tape recordings, of which a large number have
been transcribed, indexed photographs
Museum material: Meaningful articles with an OB connection, whereby the
nature, character, and work of the OB and the course of the struggle which was
undertaken, are depicted.
Rhodes University
http://campus.ru.ac.za/index.php?action=category&category=2705
Cory Library for Historical Research
P O Box 184
Grahamstown
6140
South Africa
Shirley Kabwato, Librarian
Email: S.Kabwato@ru.ac.za
Tel: 046 603-8424
Description: Collections include manuscripts and other documents, Cape and other
Government publications, rare and modern books, periodicals and newspapers, maps,
pictorial materials, microforms, video and audio recordings, and digital records.
The manuscript and archival collections include personal documents such as
diaries, autobiographies, family histories and farmers’ diaries as well as institutional
collections of churches, local political and non-governmental organizations, business and
professional bodies, service clubs and education institutions.
The Library’s archival holdings are particularly strong in the fields of Southern
African history, including Xhosa history, mission and church history, the history of
education and mining, commercial and agricultural history, and it has a strong collection
of material on Lesotho. Since the initial deposit of Sir George Cory’s collections there
has been a particular focus on the history of the Eastern Cape, and on Grahamstown
itself.
Strathmore University
http://www.strathmore.edu/academics/library.html
27
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
Strathmore University Library
P O Box 59857
Nairobi-00200
Tel 254-20-606155
Fax 254-20-607498
Email: Librarian's e-mail
Description: Theses and Past examination papers
University of Cape Town
http://www.lib.uct.ac.za/rarebks/index.php?html=/rarebks/info/collections.htm&libid=29
http://www.lib.uct.ac.za/mss/
Ground Floor
Harry Oppenheimer Institute, Library Rd
Upper Campus
University of Cape Town
Email address: mss@uctlib.uct.ac.za (for Manuscripts and Archives)
Phone: +27 21 650-3123
Fax: +27 21 686 1505
Email: tanya.barben@uct.ac.za (for Rare Books and Special Collections)
Phone: +27 21 650 3108
Fax: +27 21 689 7568
Description: Rare Books and Special Collections; Manuscripts and Archives
Architectural Collections, Botanical Collections, Educational Collections, Legal
Collections, Literary Collections, Medical Collections, Musical Collections
Ballot-Kicherer Collection (BAL) McGregor Poetry Collection (BDM) Bowle-Evans
Collection (BDB) Mossop Chinese Collection (BDC) Cape Town Diocesan Library (EA)
Rare Books Collection (B) Cameron-Swan Scottish Collection (BDG) South African
Children's Literature Collection (BJA) Historical Children's Literature Collection (BJ)
South African Speleological Association's Collection (BDE) Jack Maclean Memorial
Collection (BDJ) Speculative Fiction Collection (BSF) John Davidson Phrenological
Collection (BDD) Willis Naval and Aeronautical Collection (BDW) Kipling Collection
(BDK)
University of Fort Hare
http://liberation.ufh.ac.za/
University Librarian: Yolisa Kambule Soul
Phone: +27 40 602 2042
Cell: +27 82 200 9252
Fax: +27 40 653 1423,
E-mail: ysoul@ufh.ac.za
University of Fort Hare Library
Private Bag X1322
Alice 5700
South Africa
Archivist: Mosoabuli Maamoe:
Phone: +27 40 602 2515
28
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
E-mail: mmaamoe@ufh.ac.za
Description:
Archives:
The Liberation Archives
The Archives of the African National Congress
The Cultural Heritage Archives
Pan Africanist Congress of Azania
Azanian People's Organization/ Black Consciousness Movement
Collections:
ANC Collections








Albert Lutuli Collection
Nelson Mandela Collection
Govan Mbeki Collection
Thabo Mbeki Collection
Monty Naicker Collection
Oliver Tambo Collection
Jacob Zuma Collection
SOMAFCO Collection
Fedsem Collection
Lovedale Press Collection
PAC Collection
Robert Sobukwe
ES Reddy Collection
SACP Collections
UFH Collection
Other Collections
Documents:
Anniversaries
Books
Conferences
Constitutions
Interviews
Letters
Pamphlets
Press Statements
Speeches
Virtual Galleries:
De Beers Centenary Art Gallery
F. S. Malan Museum
Images of Transkei from the Piper Collection
University of the Free State
http://www.uovs.ac.za/faculties/content.php?id=5057&FCode=12&DCode=431
Institute for Contemporary History (INCH)
29
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
P.O. Box 2320
University of the Free State
Bloemfontein 9300
Republic of South Africa
Tel: (+27) (051) 401 2418
Fax: (+27) (051) 401 2418
E – Mail: JonesE.BIB@mail.uovs.ac.za
Description: Towards the end of 1964 a campaign was launched to establish a centre for
the collection and preservation of political documents at the University of the Free State
with a view to the writing of a South African political history since 1902.
The stimulation of contemporary historiography was as yet a barren field in South
Africa. As a result, the Institute for Contemporary History came into existence
towards the end of 1970. The Institute consisted of three divisions, namely the
Documentation Division, the Press Cutting - and the Research Division. In 1998 the
Documentation Division became fully autonomous.
At present the Institute houses more than 900 private document collections. This
includes the collections of economists, politicians, church, cultural and community
leaders.
The Institute has a fully equipped Sound Archive at its disposal, for recording the
memoirs of individuals. Hundreds of audio cassettes containing precious research
material have already been processed and are available to researchers.
Above and beyond the collections of private documents and the sound archive
material, the Institute has a very comprehensive collection of newspapers and newspaper
cuttings, official publications, a unique collection of pamphlets, thousands of
photographs, press releases and speeches of Ministers.
University of Johannesburg
http://general.uj.ac.za/library/lidi/ujlic/SBVframe.htm
Auckland Park Kingsway Campus Library
PO Box 524
Auckland Park
Johannesburg
2006
South Africa
Tel: +27 11 559-2171
Fax: +27 11 726-7723
Ms HW Latsky, Librarian
E-mail: henriettel@uj.ac.za
Phone: (011) 559-2630
info@rau.ac.za
Description: In the course of the normal functioning of the University, the Library
accumulated, by means of donations and bequests, a precious collection of valuable
books and manuscripts of great information value to students and researchers. The
collection developed to such an extent that it is justifiably housed in a spacious and
effective location, where expert personnel maintain and make it accessible to users.
30
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
Previously the collection focused on the history of the Afrikaans and Greek
communities on the Witwatersrand. In line with the important historical contribution by
other cultural groups, inter alia by historically disadvantaged communities, the focus of
the collection has now shifted to include material from these groups as well. The
acquisition of the extensive N.J. Van Warmelo donation, for instance, provides valuable
insight into the culture of the black tribes of South Africa and Namibia.
The University Archives, which reflect the university's history and character since
its founding, are also housed on the premises of the Rare Book Collection. The archives
contain official primary documents, e.g. the minutes of the Management Committee,
Board, Senate and Executive Committee, examination papers and numbered circulars, as
well as secondary documents, e.g. departmental journals, student magazines, newspapers
and general publications.
University of Kwazula Natal
http://khozi2.nu.ac.za/kcafricana.htm
Senior Librarian, Revd. Stacie Gibson
Tel: 031-260 1723
Description: In this library are many works of extreme rarity and value. Amongst these
is the Proceedings....at the Cape of Good Hope, in a criminal process for libel...against
Laurence Halloran, published in 1811. Halloran was eventually banished from the Cape.
Then, a few years later, consternation arose there about the marriages he had solemnized
when it was discovered that his ordination papers had been false. Another rare item is
Volume 1 of The Cape cyclopedia (1835), a religious publication which included a short
account of George Schmidt (1709-1785), the first Moravian missionary in South Africa
who worked amongst the Khoikhoi.
The Zulu War of 1879 is well represented, not only by relics from the battlefield
of Isandhlwana and the regimental color of the Edendale Native Horse, but also by such
books as The Zulu War, 1879, reprinted from the 'University of KwaZulu Natal
Mercury'(1879) and the rare The Zulu Army, and Zulu headmen (1879).
The library is rich in illustrative material for, besides the extensive graphic
collection, there are many photographs dealing with Natal and Zululand. Digital images
of the Historic Photograph Collection and other resources can be browsed on-line. The
map collection, although small, includes some valuable items, among them a large hand
drawn map by Thomas Baines.
Many journals and manuscripts are also retained.
Africabib, a bibliographic database of African studies journals is maintained by
the IEA Research Library at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock, in the United
States.
One of the largest and most important manuscript collections in the Killie Campbell
Africana Library is that relating to John William Colenso (1814-1883) and his
determined and able family. Colenso, who was a controversial Bishop of the Church of
England in Natal, not only had a talent for mathematics, but was a noted biblical scholar
and an outstanding figure in Zulu linguistic and literary work. He was a prolific writer
and among his many works in the Library is a rare item commenting on Frere's policy. It
is a massive tome with marginal notes in the Bishop's own handwriting.
A Guide to the Manuscripts Collection is available.
31
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
When Killie Campbell died, her library passed to the University of KwaZuluNatal. The Library is involved in a number of projects, both retrospective and topical.
These include the tracing of historical material in private ownership and the making of
photographic records relating to the history of KwaZulu Natal more readily accessible.
Land grant claims are supported by primary resources on the history of the Cato Manor
area. Further information is available from the Cato Manor Development Project.
Housed presently at the Library is the DISA Project, the National Digital Imaging
Project of South Africa, through which the journals of many organizations involved in the
apartheid struggle are being converted to a digital format for research access via the
Internet.
University of Mauritius
http://www.uom.ac.mu/Library/library.htm#coll
Description: Documents on agriculture going back to its early beginnings in Mauritius
are held in the Library. It is building up its Mauritiana collections which already include
among others official and private publications, periodicals and a good number of early
newspapers published in the island (entrusted to the library by the Mauritius Historical
Society) supplemented by current subscriptions to most local newspapers.
University of Nairobi
http://library.uonbi.ac.ke/website/index.html
Africana librarian: Weche, P.
Tel: 318262 Ext. 28096
E-mail: pweche@uonbi.ac.ke
Description: Specialized research collections
University of Namibia
http://library.unam.na/libr-spec_coll.html
Kavevangua Kahengua, Special Collections Librarian
E-mail: kkahengua@unam.na
Tel: (264-61) 206 3883
Fax: (264-61) 206 3876
Description: The Special Collections Section aims at having a comprehensive current
collection of Namibiana (any material dealing with Namibia, of national and international
imprint, and which subject matter falls within the realms of the University's mission
statement) and related material in humanities and social sciences, and natural and
environmental resources management. Materials in the collection include: published
books, theses and dissertations, pamphlets, newspaper clippings, NIED syllabi of
Namibian school subjects, and unpublished material.
Materials in English are given priority but linguistic materials and vernacular texts are
acquired where necessary.

Pamphlet Collection: Holds information material of pamphlets, booklets,
International Monetary Fund documents, NIED syllabi of various school subjects,
HIV/AIDS material. The database can be searched at:
32
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc


http://196.44.141.214/wwwisis/PAMPH.01/form.htm or the
Greenstone digital library server of UNAM Library.
Newspaper Clippings: Local newspapers are scanned for articles about UNAM,
adverts by UNAM, and also of general interest about the following topics:
economic issues, information about government ministries and their activities.
Articles are entered into a searchable on-line database --> click here
NAMLIT: The most comprehensive database of information about Namibia
published in and outside Namibia, publications with a Namibian imprint,
containing well over 60 000 titles in Namibian and foreign libraries.
University of South Africa
http://www.unisa.ac.za/Default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=7160
P.O. Box 392
UNISA
0003
South Africa
Mariè Coetzee, Archivist
E-mail: coetzma@unisa.ac.za
Tel : +2712 429 2560
Description: The Archives and Special Collections contain a number of very valuable and
unique collections. These collections are kept under archival conditions and may be
accessed via the computer catalogue, printed catalogues and other finding aids.
These collections are available to all persons affiliated to the University, as well as to
other researchers. Material from the collections is not issued, but may be consulted in the
reading room of the Archives. Photocopies of certain items are permitted.
In the Archives you will find:
archival collections
special book collections
unisa music instrument collection
University of Stellenbosch
http://library.sun.ac.za//eng/special/special.html
http://admin.sun.ac.za//AcadAdmin/Archive/index.html
Special Collections section
JS Gericke Library
University of Stellenbosch
Private Bag X5036
Stellenbosch 7599
South Africa
Fax: +27 (0) 21 808 4336
Tel.: +27 (0) 21 808 4398
Head (Special Collections): Mrs. Hanna Botha
E-mail: jfb@sun.ac.za
Rare books: Mrs. Mimi van der Merwe
E-mail: mseyf@sun.ac.za
Tel.: +27 (0) 21 808 4881
33
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
Archivist: Dr Hans Heese
Tel: (021) 808 2415
Email: fheese@sun.ac.za
University Archives
Private Bag X 1
Matieland
7602
Description: Special Collections and Archives
The US Library Service acquired a substantial collection of rare and valuable books,
documents, manuscripts and other material over many years by way of bequests,
donations and purchases. Special Collections is located on the upper level of the JS
Gericke Library (floor plan), the central library of the Library Service.
This section of the library has as its primary mission the acquisition and
preservation of rare materials, making it accessible to clients as well as preserving it for
posterity. The section consists of three sub-sections namely Manuscripts, Africana and
Rare Books. Each of these sections provides a specialized service and concentrates on
specific areas of interest.
Rare and valuable material was also acquired over a number of years by both the
Theology Library and the Music Library and these collections are housed at the two
libraries respectively.
The main holdings of the University Archives consist of all official documents
such as minutes of meetings of Senate and Council. The oldest document dates back to
1864 (Minutes of the Stellenbosch Gymnasium) and is succeeded by a nearly complete
set of minutes of meetings and financial records that records the history of higher
education at Stellenbosch; Stellenbosch Gymnasium, Stellenbosch College, Victoria
College - and since 1918 - the University of Stellenbosch.
From time to time, non-active documents are transferred from the section Post
and Filing and added to the holdings of the University Archives.
The more than 30 000 glass negatives from the Watson-Lockley Photographic
Collection, portray life at Stellenbosch from the late 19th century until 1966. The
collection is further enlarged by photographs donated by alumni and residents of the
town.
University of the Western Cape
http://www.uwc.ac.za/library/speccollections/Africana.htm
J Fortuin, Librarian
Tel: + 27 21 9592916
Fax: + 27 21 9592659
Email: jfortuin@uwc.ac.za
South Africa
Description: The collection focuses on a broad spectrum of subjects with particular
strengths in the areas of socio-political history. The collection includes:
 UWC Theses and Dissertations
 UWC research publications – this collection consists of all research done and
published at the University
 Inaugural lectures
34
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc






The South African Studies collection. This is an interdisciplinary collection of
South African material with particular strength in the subject areas of South
African socio-political and economic history and biographical works from the 19th
century to the present.
Government publications. The following Government publications form part of
the collection.
Commission Reports
HCRS Reports
Statistics South Africa Reports
White papers
University of Witwatersrand
http://www.wits.ac.za/PlacesOfInterest/Archives/
Head, William Cullen Library, and Deputy Client Services Librarian:
Paiki Muswazi
E-mail: paiki.muswazi@wits.ac.za
Tel: +27 (0)11 717-1917
Fax: +27 (0)11 339-4137
William Cullen Library
Private Bag X1
WITS
2050 SOUTH AFRICA
Description: The William Cullen Library is situated on the west side of the library
lawns. Built in 1934 as the main University Library, Cullen now houses the Africana,
Early and Fine Printed Books, Government Publications, and Historical and Literary
Papers collections.
The Africana collections specialize in the social, political and economic history,
and the languages and literature, of Africa. Current journals in these fields are accessible
from the first basement of the William Cullen Library.
The Early Africana collection comprises books and periodicals published before
1850.
The Early Map collection is representative of the art and science of cartography as
reflected in the mapping of Africa.
The Africana collection is particularly rich in the publications reflecting
missionary activities in the 19th century southern Africa, the development of British
interest in Africa and colonization, and the decolonization/independence experience of
the continent.
The library also houses the unpublished papers of The History workshop from the
University's Department of History, and the seminar papers of the Institute for Advanced
Social Research (formerly the African Studies Institute).
The books in the Early and Fine Printed Books collection have been separated
from the main collections for reasons of age, beauty or historical bibliographic
significance and include rare and early printed books not related to Africa. Of special
interest are the Incunabula (books printed before 1501 ), including an example of one of
the earliest books printed in moveable type in the 15th century; the products of the
35
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
Private Presses; and the Typography and Bibliography collection. This last consists of
books about books, and provides a reference section for the rest of the collection.
The Government Publications collection holds government publications of the
Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek, Orange Free State Republic, the Cape Colony, Orange
River Colony, the Colony of Natal and the Transvaal Colony. Early British publications
include the debates of the House of Commons and the House of Lords dating from 1803
to the present, British Command Papers relating to Southern Africa in the 19th century,
and the Irish University Press reprint of British Parliamentary Papers of 19th century:
African Colonies.
The modern collection comprises government publications from southern African
countries (excluding Angola and Mozambique) and Britain. These include government
departmental reports, gazettes, legislation, parliamentary debates, commissions of
inquiry, policy documents, statistics and census reports. South African provincial
publications and legislation are also kept. An extensive collection of former homeland
publications is available in hardcopy and on microfiche. Indexes compiled in-house by
Government Publications provide access to this material and online access to many
resources is available in addition to the Library's electronic resources.
Important and interesting manuscript material, dating from 1633 to the present, is
held in the Historical Library Collection. It covers much of the socio-economic and
political history of South Africa in the 20th century, including the rise of black
nationalism, liberation movements, the development of unionism, and much on resistance
and repression. The collection of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa (CPSA Anglican) is also housed here. The NAREM electronic database provides information on
manuscript collections nationwide.
The Archives include the official records of the University as recorded in the
minutes of meetings of Council, Senate, Faculty Boards and numerous other committees,
as well as printed and manuscript materials of University interest. These include the
personal and professional papers of important officials, academic staff and persons
closely associated with the University, as well as printed publications issued by
departments (e.g. research reports), student organizations and Convocation.
Other material includes university calendars, minute books of staff associations,
Convocation, the Student Representative Council and other student groups, staff
publications, and a master set of most theses and dissertations accepted for higher degrees
at the University.
The Archives also houses collections of press cuttings, photographs, slides, films,
video's, gramophone records, tape recordings and memorabilia of University interest.
University of Zambia
http://www.unza.zm/units/library/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11&It
emid=57
Great East Road
P.O. Box 32379
Lusaka
Zambia
Telephone: 260-01-295220, 291777 Ext. 2121
36
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
Mr. Kenneth Chanda, BALIS Assistant Librarian
Ms Ireen Gunduza, BALIS Assistant Librarian
Description: This is the research wing of the Library. As part of its Special Collections
the Library holds extensive Zambiana, including oral history and archival materials:
growing Africana; Livingstonia and materials on former Portuguese territories in
Southern and Central Africa: Simon collection on African Law; the publications of major
international organizations; and the University theses. The Library is a repository for
printed official documents of the United Nations and its agencies and until 1979 was a
selective repository for Canadian government documents. It has also acquired extensive
collections of East African government publications as well as micro-card editions of
British parliamentary papers. Mrs. Celine Mwafulilwa is the Acting Head of this
Division.
University of Zimbabwe
http://www.uz.ac.zw/library/inner/specialcoll.html
Assistant Librarian Special Collections
University of Zimbabwe Library
P.O. Box MP45
Mount Pleasant
Harare
Zimbabwe
Telephone: 303211 Ext. 1375
Email: specialcol@uzlib.uz.ac.zw
Assistant Librarian: Mrs. S. Tevera
Description: The foundations of the Special Collections date back to 1959 when Sir
Stephen Courtauld, a philanthropist presented a collection of Greek and Roman coins to
the then University College of Rhodesia in celebration of the founding of that University.
This collection was meant strictly for purposes of teaching and research. The pioneering
example set by Sir Stephen Courtauld was followed by W.A. Godlonton and Professor
C.M. Doke who generously donated their own collections of books, manuscripts,
memoirs etc. to the library. The collections bear the names of the donors in recognition of
their generosity. Over the years the number of collections has grown to 11 and these are
Godlonton Collection. Thesis Collection, Doke, African Writers, Arts, Papadopoulos,
Astor, Courtauld Coin Collection, Government Publications, International Organizations
and Rare book Collection, Microfiche Collection and Photographs Collections.
The Collection: This is a research collection consisting of a variety of official
publications emanating from the government of Zimbabwe collection, governments of
countries, of Eastern and Southern African and Britain.
Government Publications: Government Publications endeavors to maintain a
comprehensive collection of publications of the various arms of government: the
statutory, legislative, constitutional, executive, administrative and judicial bodies. The
publications can be produced by the state, regional or inter-governmental bodies,
municipality, city and town councils, district councils and non-governmental
organizations and parastatals.
International Organizations Publications: Also included in the Government
Publications is a section on International Organizations, with a collection of material
37
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
published by the different U.N. agencies e.g. FAO, WHO, UNICEF, UNESCO, IMF,
IFC, IBRD, IAEA etc.
38
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
Appendix C
List of African Collections in the United States
Institution: Boston University
Collection: African Studies Library
URL: http://www.bu.edu/library/asl/maps/index.html
Librarian: David Westley
Contact: Boston University
African Studies Library
771 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 353-3726
dwestley@bu.edu
Notes: There is an online guide to the primary resources and special collections
Description: Books; periodicals; proceedings; reference materials; atlases; government
publications, including those of African nations and their states or provinces, African
regional organizations, and international organizations; dissertations and theses on
African topics, whether done in the U.S. or abroad; maps; electronic resources; and
mission reports. This includes a large collection of works on Algeria, Angola, Benin,
Botswana, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Congo (Brazzaville), Congo, Democratic
Republic (or Zaire, Belgian Congo), Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia,
Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya,
Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia,
Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa,
Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania (Tanganyika), Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and
Zimbabwe. There is also an extensive collection of over 1500 maps covering the African
continent and dating from the 17th century.
Institution: Center for Research Libraries
Collection: Cooperative Africana Microform Project (CAMP)
URL: http://www.crl.edu/areastudies/CAMP/index.htm
Librarian: James Simon, Director of International Resources
Contact: 6050 S. Kenwood
Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 955-4545 ext. 324
jsimon@crl.edu
Notes:
Description: CAMP acquires expensive microform sets and authorizes original filming
of unique research materials in North America, Africa, and Europe. CAMP collects
microform copies of such material as: selected newspapers, including titles received on
current subscriptions; journals; government publications; personal and corporate archives
personal papers of historians, journalists, anthropologists, geographers and government
39
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
leaders; writings in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, German and other European
languages as well as works in Swahili, Xhosa, Zulu and other African languages.
Institution: Columbia University
Collection: African Studies Library
URL: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/indiv/africa/
Librarian: Dr. Yuusuf S. Caruso
Contact: African Studies
308 International Affairs
420 W. 118th St.
New York, NY 10027
(212) 854-8045
caruso@columbia.edu
Notes: There is an online basic guide to the collection compiled by the head librarian.
Description: Columbia University Libraries' research collections on Africa south of the
Sahara contain over 100,000 book titles & over 1,700 current serials in history, political
science, law, sociology, anthropology, economics, geography, geosciences, literature,
ethnomusicology, and the visual arts. Since 1995, Columbia has also been actively
acquiring video titles.
Institution: Harvard University, Widener Library
Collection: Sub-Saharan Africa Collection
URL: http://hcl.harvard.edu/libraries/widener/collections/subsaharan.html
Librarian: Jill Young Coelho
Contact: Widener Library
Harvard Yard
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
(617) 495-2413
jcoelho@fas.harvard.edu
Notes:
Description: The Sub-Saharan African Collection includes materials in all formats
published in more than 40 countries of Sub-Saharan Africa. Most publications acquired
are in English, French, Portuguese, or Afrikaans, with an increasing proportion of works
in African languages. Publications about Africa that are published in other parts of the
world are collected by the selector responsible for the country of publication.
Institution: Harvard University, Widener Library
Collection: Middle Eastern Collection
URL: http://hcl.harvard.edu/libraries/widener/collections/mideast.html
40
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
Librarian: Michael Hopper, Head
Contact: Widener Library
Harvard Yard
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
(617) 495-2413
mhopper@fas.harvard.edu
Notes:
Description: The Middle Eastern Division collects in great depth materials from the
Middle East, Central Asia, and the Caucasus and from various émigré communities from
these areas scattered throughout the world. These materials in the languages of these
areas and in languages used by émigré communities include books, pamphlets,
periodicals, newspapers, posters, broadsides, photographs, microforms, sound recordings,
videotapes, and electronic databases. The collection is further supported by an extensive
collection of materials published about the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Caucasus
outside of these geographic areas.
Institution: Hoover Institution
Collection: Africa
URL: http://www.hoover.org/hila/collections/4681941.html
Librarian: Unsure
Contact: Hoover Institution
434 Galvez Mall
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6010
(650) 723-1754
horaney@hoover.stanford.edu
Notes: Huge, detailed list of the collection holdings. There’s also a finding aid for the
collection on OAC: http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/tf6t1nb1mp
Description: The Africa Collection has extensive holdings of books, serials, newspapers,
pamphlets, government documents, society publications, and manuscript and archival
materials as well as political ephemera. These materials concentrate on the period from
1870 to the present and cover history, politics, economics, colonial administration,
military and police affairs, political and social movements, communism, and socialism in
sub-Saharan Africa. All aspects of colonial rule and African movements during the
struggle for independence are well documented as are the economic, political, and
government of independent African states. Inter-African and international relations
involving Africa and the world are well documented.
The library has one of the largest African newspaper collections in the United States,
with more than 70 current titles and many older newspapers in print form. Documents
from the colonial period (legislative debates, journals, government commission reports,
41
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
early government gazettes), covering the early 1900s to the early 1960s, are a rich source
for researchers.
Institution: Howard University
Collection: Moorland-Spingarn Research Center
URL: http://www.founders.howard.edu/moorland-spingarn/default.htm
Librarian: Jean Currie Church
Contact: Washington, DC 20059
(202) 806-7240
Notes:
Description: The Moorland-Spingarn Research Center (MSRC) is recognized as one of
the world's largest and most comprehensive repositories for the documentation of the
history and culture of people of African descent in Africa, the Americas, and other parts
of the world. As one of Howard University's major research facilities, the MSRC collects,
preserves, and makes available for research a wide range of resources chronicling the
Black experience. Its collections include more than 175,000 bound volumes and tens of
thousands of journals, periodicals, and newspapers; more than 17,000 feet of manuscript
and archival collections; nearly 1000 audio tapes; hundreds of artifacts; 100,000 prints,
photographs, maps, and other graphic items. The collections are used by scholars,
museums, students, and other researchers from Howard University and throughout the
world. Information provided by the MSRC is regularly used in exhibitions, video
productions, news programming, and a wide range of publications.
Institution: Indiana University, Bloomington
Collection: African Studies Collection
URL: http://www.libraries.iub.edu/index.php?pageId=322
Librarian: Kate Schroeder
Contact: Wells Library E660
Indiana University
Bloomington, Indiana 47405
(812) 855-1481
katschro@indiana.edu
Notes:
Description: The collection covers Africa South of the Sahara at a research level, and
North Africa at a general level. Historically, primary emphasis has been on Sub-Saharan
Africa, although recently emphasis has also been placed on materials in English and
French from or about North Africa. Research level collections including rare books, local
imprints, major journals, political pamphlets maps, theses, and other ephemera,
government publications, archival and manuscript materials on microform, audiovisual
and electronic materials in addition to commercial and scholarly publications are
acquired for Anglophone, Francophone, Lusophone and Hispanophone Africa.
Historically, the major focus has been on West and West Central Africa. Publications
42
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
from Benin and Gambia were given emphasis as Indiana University's responsibility for
the Small Country Project of the Africana Librarians Council. Somalia is given emphasis
since Indiana University is a depository of the International Somali Studies Association.
Southern Africa has been a more recent focus of the collection. Because of the large
volume of material published in South Africa, it is not possible to collect in great depth.
Yale and Northwestern Universities collect comprehensively on South Africa. The
current focus is on countries with which Indiana University has exchange programs
and/or countries which are the focus of faculty and graduate student research: Cameroon,
Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Burkina Faso, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Other
countries for which there is special emphasis are: Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Nigeria,
Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Namibia, Angola and Somalia.
Four of the most impressive collections included here are Nuer Field Notes Project, H.K.
Banda Archive, Digital Somali Library, Liberian Collections Project. The Nuer Notes are
missionary reports/biographies; the H.K Banda Archive are the papers and biography of
the former president of Malawi; the Somali library is 137 digitized full-text books from
the Somali collection; and finally the Liberian collection includes a wide variety of
materials related to Liberia.
Institution: Michigan State University
Collection: Africana (African Studies) at MSU Library
URL: http://www.lib.msu.edu/coll/main/africana/
Librarian: Dr. Joseph Lauer
Contact: Africana, MSU Libraries,
100 Library,
East Lansing 48824
(517) 432-6123 ext 237
lauer@msu.edu
Notes: There is a complete online guide to the microform collection and the audio/video
collection. As well as selected guides to manuscripts, ephemera and print resources.
Description: The Africana Collection of the MSU Library is one of the largest in the
United States, having been built up since 1960 to support broad faculty involvement in
research and development projects on the continent. In recent decades, the MSU program
about Africa has been consistently rated among the top one or two in the country in both
the number of faculty involved and the number of doctoral dissertations produced. The
Library's commitment to this world area is reflected in the employment of 2 full-time
professional Africana librarians, both of them holding doctorates in African Studies, who
built one of the top five collections in the country and who provide reference assistance
to a wide range of faculty and students at MSU and elsewhere and who are very involved
in national cooperative projects.
The Library collection of roughly 200,000 books, pamphlets, maps and microform units
covers all areas and disciplines. There is an emphasis on the socio-economic
development and history of sub-Saharan Africa, with special emphases (reflecting faculty
43
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
interests) on Ethiopia/Eritrea, Zimbabwe, South Africa, the Sahel region of West Africa,
and Nigeria (especially the Eastern Region). Library materials from all African countries
(less so for North Africa) are collected at a high level, including materials in all African
and other languages and across all historical periods. The Library also has a very strong
collection of archival materials on microfilm and there are substantial special and audiovisual collections.
Institution: Northwestern University
Collection: Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies
URL: http://www.library.northwestern.edu/africana/
Librarian: Patricia Ogedengbe
Contact: Northwestern University
1970 Campus Drive
Evanston, IL 60208-2300
(847) 491-7684
p-ogedengbe@northwestern.edu
Notes:
Description: Established in 1954, the Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies
at Northwestern University is the largest separate Africana collection in existence. Its
scope is as wide as the continent of Africa itself; its subject matter ranges from art,
history, literature, music, and religion to communications, management, and cooking.
The Africana collection is a resource for the entire university, and most of Northwestern's
disciplinary programs are reflected in the collection. In addition to serving the NU
community, the Herskovits Library staff also serves regional, national, and international
scholars as well. The collections are further divided into groups of photographs, maps,
posters, videos, and archives.
Institution: Ohio University
Collection: African Studies Resources
URL: http://www.library.ohiou.edu/subjects/africa/asubmain.htm
Librarian: Loyd Mbabu, Africana Bibliographer
Contact: Alden Library Learning Commons
Reference and Instruction Department
Athens, Ohio 45701
(740) 597-1317
mbabu@ohio.edu
Notes: There is a selected list of included materials on the website.
Description: Modeled after its arrangement with the Government of Malaysia, the Ohio
University Libraries has depository arrangements for the official documents of Botswana
(1990), and Swaziland (1991). The Library is a member of the Center for Research
Libraries (CRL) and has access to the large collection of Africa-related materials in CRL.
44
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
The Library subscribes to approximately 250 journals published in Africa; excluding
bound and microfilm journals there are approximately 110,000 books and the equivalent
of 130,000 Africa-related volumes in microtext. Beyond basic support for the whole of
Africa, the collection concentrates on West Africa (Nigeria); East Africa (Kenya,
Tanzania, Uganda) and Southern Africa (South Africa and environs).
Collections also includes: books, newspapers, journals, magazines, bibliographies,
government documents, microform, maps, and media.
Institution: Rutgers University
Collection: African Studies
URL:
http://www.libraries.rutgers.edu/rul/rr_gateway/research_guides/africana/africana.shtml
Librarian: Lourdes Vasquez
Contact: Archibald S. Alexander Library
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
169 College Avenue
New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901-1163
(732) 932-7851
lvazquez@rci.rutgers.edu
Notes:
Description: The Alexander Library is the largest of the Rutgers University Libraries,
and contains the main research collection on African studies. Besides monograph titles,
journals and databases subscriptions, the Alexander Library houses United States, New
Jersey, foreign and international government documents, each of which has important
materials pertinent to Africa and the African Diaspora.
Institution: Smithsonian Institute
Collection: National Museum of African Art
URL: http://africa.si.edu/pubaccess/index.htm
Librarian: Unsure
Contact: National Museum of African Art Smithsonian Institution
P.O. Box 37012 MRC 708
Washington, DC 20013-7012
202.633.4600
nmafaweb@si.edu
Notes:
Description: Relocated in 1987 to its present site on the National Mall, the National
Museum of African Art, which became a bureau of the Smithsonian in 1979, is the only
national art museum in the United States devoted exclusively to research in and to the
collection, study, and exhibition of African art. Its collections, which emphasize the art of
45
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
sub-Saharan Africa, include masterworks in wood, metal, ivory, textiles, and ceramics.
An active exhibition schedule features objects drawn from the permanent collection as
well as loans from both national and international public and private collections. The
museum also houses the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives that maintains a collection
of 200,000 color slides; 78,000 black-and-white photographs; 140,000 feet of motion
picture film and videotape; and the Warren M. Robbins Library of 20,000 volumes.
Institution: Stanford University
Collection: African Collection
URL: http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/ssrg/africa/africa.html
Librarian: Karen Fung, Curator
Contact: African Collection
Stanford University Libraries
Green Library, 352B
Stanford, California 94305-6004
(650) 725-3505
kfung@stanford.edu
Notes: Lists of the newspapers, and guides to some of the other collections.
Description: Newspapers, journals, government publications, films/videos, theses and
dissertations. Current Kenya newspapers include: COASTWEEK; DAILY NATION,
Nairobi; EAST AFRICAN, Nairobi [pub. by The Nation]; and KENYA TIMES /
SUNDAY TIMES, Nairobi. There are a lot of other African newspapers listed as well.
Institution: University at Albany, State University of New York
Collection: Africana Studies
URL: http://library.albany.edu/subject/africana_main.html
Librarian: Deborah LaFond, Bibliographer
Contact: University Libraries, University at Albany, SUNY
1400 Washington Avenue
Albany NY 12222
(518) 442-3599
dlafond@uamail.albany.edu
Notes: There is an online guide to the resources in the collection which describes where
to access them.
Description: The library holds Bibliographies; Dictionaries, Annuals, Biographical
Sources; Encyclopedias, Guides, and Handbooks; History, Politics, Sociology; Literature,
Art, and Theatre; Pan-Africanism; and Statistical and Map Sources
Institution: UC Berkeley
Collection: African Studies
URL: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/doemoff/africana/
46
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
Librarian: Simon Bockie
Contact: 438 Doe Library
Berkeley, CA
(510) 643-9348
sbockie@library.berkeley.edu
Notes: PDF file guide to the collection by library holding materials.
Description: African collections at the University of California, Berkeley are estimate at
1,000 serial titles. Although the Gardner (Main) Stacks of the Doe Library are the
principal location for social science and humanities titles, more than 20 subject specialty
and affiliated libraries and other library units also collect African Studies. Summary
information about these holdings can be found under Africana Library Collections: A
Guide. Berkeley's African Studies Collections cover sub-Saharan countries and include
many publications from adjacent islands. The Library's Islamic Collections embrace
materials from North Africa.
Institution: University of California, Los Angeles
Collection: African Studies
URL: http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/url/colls/ssafrica/index.htm
Librarian: Ruby Bell-Gam, African Studies Bibliographer
Contact: Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 157511
11630A Young Research Library
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575
(310) 825.1518
rbellgam@library.ucla.edu
Notes: This collection is vast and well detailed on the website. Not all the items are
listed, but a selection of newspaper is and more information can be found from the URL
Description: Charles E. Young Research Library Africana collections include materials
in about 70 African and 15 non-African languages. The Library collects original
primary source materials, such as diaries, correspondence, official documents and field
notes whenever possible. In some cases, reproductions in microform, photocopy, printed
editions, or electronic databases are the only practical options available for local
acquisition of such materials. Librarians are able to provide information on demand
regarding the location of the original documents. Categories of microform sets include
data collections and research documents: Sahel: Documents and Dissertations, a
collection of over 900 documents from the Sahel Documentation Center at Michigan
State University and various organizations, and 100 American doctoral dissertations on
the Sahel region; British Government official documents: Colonial Office Confidential
Print on Africa, 1642-1922 and Foreign Office General Correspondence on the Slave
Trade, 1816-1892; missionary society records and archives: Joint International
Missionary Council and Conference of British Missionary Societies (IMC/CBMS)
Archives: Africa and India, 1910-1945 and London Missionary Society Records, 17961907; US Government official documents: Dispatches from United States Consuls in
47
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
Cape Town, 1800-1906; .... in Pretoria, 1898-1906 and sets of US Department of State
Records Relating to... various European interests in Africa, dating from 1910. Records of
parliamentary proceedings, e.g. The Cape of Good Hope Official Publications, are also
available.
Subscriptions to Africana journals, magazines and newspapers number about 1,000 titles.
These include scholarly journals on Africa, such as the Journal of African History, the
Review of African Political Economy and Research in African Literatures, and news
bulletins and magazines, such as Africa Confidential, West Africa, Jeune Afrique and
the Weekly Review.
The Ethnomusicology Archive collects sound recordings from around the world.
African music in this collection includes religious ritual and other ceremonial music, as
well as popular genres, such as Highlife music. The Archive also subscribes to a good
number of specialized publications on ethnic music.
The Instructional Media Library holds approximately 280 audiovisual titles related to
Africa. These include feature and documentary films and video productions, as well as
audiovisual adaptations of literary works. The Library has the Nigerian Television
Authority's rendition of Chinua Achebe's famous novel Things Fall Apart. The complete
video collection of South Africa Now, a now-defunct weekly television news program
from the late 1980's and early 1990's, provides primary source material from inside South
Africa on the anti-apartheid struggle of that period.
The Fowler Museum of Cultural History, established in 1963, holds some of the most
impressive collections of artworks and material culture from around the world, including
Sub-Saharan Africa. Exhibitions at the Museum are typically accompanied by fine,
informative catalogues, which may be found in the collection of the Museum Library.
The Library also houses publications on museum development and curatorship in Africa,
and on collections of African art and material culture worldwide.
Institution: University of Florida
Collection: Africana Collection
URL: http://web.uflib.ufl.edu/cm/africana/
Librarian: Daniel Reboussin, Africana Bibliographer
Contact: George A. Smathers Libraries
University of Florida
PO Box 117001
Gainesville, FL 32611-7001
(352) 273-2642
danrebo@mail.uflib.ufl.edu
Notes: Indexed list of collection holdings.
48
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
Description: Includes a wide variety of materials ranging from theses/dissertations,
children’s literature, manuscript collections, and videos. Really impressive looking
collection which seems to be well documented online.
Institution: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Collection: Center for African Studies
URL: http://www.afrst.uiuc.edu/lib.HTML
Librarian: Al Kagan, African Studies Bibliographer
Contact: Africana Reading Room
328 Main Library
1408 West Gregory Road
Champaign, Illinois 61801
(217) 333-6519
akagan@uiuc.edu
Notes:
Description: The Africana collections in the University of Illinois Library are among the
finest in the world. The University Library has made a serious commitment to acquire
Africa-related materials since 1969. The collection covers all African countries and
includes materials in more than 150 African languages. Priority countries for collecting
include Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia,
Gambia, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania,
Zambia and Zimbabwe. Priority languages are Amharic, Arabic, Bambara, Hausa,
Lingala, Swahlii, Wolof and Zulu. The collections are interdisciplinary, in all formats,
and concentrated mainly in the humanities, social sciences and agriculture. The Library
has an extraordinary collection of primary source materials for Africana. We have
identified approximately 100 printed sources and 85 microform collections (over 10,000
pieces) covering all areas of Africa. The collection also includes 120,000 pages of Arabic
manuscripts and thousands of government documents.
Africana materials in European and African languages at the University of Illinois
Libraries include more than 180,000 volumes (including 15,000 in Arabic and 3,000 in
Bamana, Hausa, Lingala, Swahili and Zulu), 2,800 journals, 46,000 maps, 10,000
microforms, more than 500 videos, 37 newspapers and several CD-ROMs. Due to the
decentralized nature of the library system, the collection is distributed by subject and
format throughout the system; however, the greatest part is in the Library's general book
stacks. Arabic materials are kept in the Asian Library.
There are four departmental collections that are of special interest. The Map and
Geography Library, housed on the 4th floor of the Main Library, holds an extensive
collection of maps on Africa and the U.S. Government's Area Handbook Series for most
African countries. The Media Center in the Undergraduate Library contains a collection
of non-print materials for instructional use, including 250 videotapes and 40 audio
cassettes and slide sets for which a video list is available. The History, Philosophy, and
49
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
Newspaper Library , located on the second floor, has copies of newspapers from Côte
d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. The
University of Illinois Archives, located in the basement, contains some important African
studies materials, including: Haroun Ould Sidiyya Baba Library of 19th century Arabic
manuscripts; Sierra Leone collection--agriculture, economic, education, history,
transportation, Njala University College; South Africa and the University local antiapartheid materials of Illinois; U.S. Agency for International Development--includes
Africa projects; University development collection for Kenya and Malawi.
Institution: University of Kansas
Collection: Africana Collection
URL: http://www.lib.ku.edu/africanstudies/
Librarian: Kenneth P. Lohrentz, African Studies Librarian
Contact: The University of Kansas Libraries
320 Anschutz Library
Lawrence, KS 66045
(785) 864-4593
klohrentz@ku.edu
Notes:
Description: Printed Holdings.--Africana collections at the University of Kansas
Libraries include approximately 60,000 printed volumes. The libraries receive over 350
current periodicals, including over 200 in paper format. The primary subject focus of the
collections is the social sciences and humanities, with selected areas of the natural
sciences including physical geography, environmental studies, and human health also
collected. Historically, the collections have been developed at a strong study level (3+ in
the RLG conspectus) with primary focus on Africa south of the Sahara. Languages
collected have included English, French, and Portuguese, with selected purchases in the
African languages taught in the curriculum, principally Swahili, Hausa, Wolof, and
Arabic. Dictionaries, radio plays, and novels are also collected for those languages taught
on a tutorial basis, which thus far have included Chinyanja, Karamojong, and Fanti.
Future potential tutorial languages, based on faculty expertise and student interest, are
Amharic, recognized dialects of Arabic (Tunisian, Moroccan, Egyptian, and Sudanese),
Berber, Kongo, Shona, Twi, Xhosa, and Yoruba. With expanded interest in the North
African region, the KU Libraries have also begun to build a collection of Arabic
materials in non-language subjects from and about the region from Mauritania to Egypt
and the Sudan.
Other Formats.--In addition to the printed holdings, the Africana collections include
maps, government documents, microforms, videocassettes, CD's, and digital resources.
The Thomas R. Smith Map Collection includes approximately 10,000 maps of Africa and
has a thorough collection of national atlases. Map holdings include such worldwide sets
as the Joint Operational Graphic Maps at a scale of 1:250,000, as well as U.S. Army
maps and publications of the British Ordnance Survey. Government documents of
various U.S. government agencies and international organizations also contain significant
materials pertaining to Africa. As a regional depository of U.S. federal documents, the
50
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
University collections include many thousands of items pertaining to Africa in print as
well as full-text electronic formats. The international documents collections include
publications of the World Bank, the United Nations, UNESCO, OECD, the International
Monetary Fund, and the European Community. Microforms are collected selectively,
with primary reliance on the holdings of the Cooperative Africana Microform Collection
(CAMP) at the Center for Research Libraries. Videocassettes and CD's have been
collected as needed for instruction in Africa-related courses. A digitization project based
on University of Kansas holdings consists of selected titles from the Onitsha Market
Literature collection held at the Spencer Research Library.
Notable Collection Strengths.--Notable within the holdings of language-related
materials is a nearly-complete collection of the writings of the 20th-century Swahili poet,
Shaaban Robert. Another area of strength is the acquisition of African imprints.
Historically, the University of Kansas Libraries has placed emphasis on the acquisition of
works issued by African publishers in order to build collections with a more balanced
representation of African scholarly contributions. As a result of this sustained effort, the
University collection compares well with other research libraries in this regard. A recent
bibliometric study ranks the University of Kansas Libraries 17th among 95 North
American research libraries in its holdings of imprints issued by a selected list of Englishlanguage publishers from the African continent.
Institution: University of Pennsylvania
Collection: African Studies
URL: http://www.library.upenn.edu/collections/africa/
Librarian: Lauris Olson, African Bibliographer
Contact: University of Pennsylvania Libraries
320 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 898-0119
olson@pobox.upenn.edu
Notes:
Description: Videos, digital history books, microform collection (member of CAMP), ejournals, and databases.
The Penn Library's Africa-related collection development program is forward-looking
through necessity. Its retrospective collection appears to have had an uneven growth, with
strong, almost unitary emphases in anthropology, folklore, history, and languages. This
lopsided picture is the result of a presumably well-intentioned donation in September
1948 to Northwestern University's nascent African collection of more than 1,000
volumes -- "almost a ton and a half in all" -- of newspapers, government publications
(including legislative proceedings from twelve countries), and social sciences periodicals
published in Africa. While this gift formed the nucleus of the Northwestern's Herskovits
Library, the largest sub-Saharan African collection in the world, the Penn Library
attempted unsuccessfully to create a comparable North African collection. The
retrospective collection has a strong West African and East African focus. Only major
older works in Central African history, ethnography, and linguistics are present. No
Afrikaans and few older publications on South Africa beyond apartheid can be found.
51
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
Institution: University of Wisconsin
Collection: Africa Focus: Sights and Sounds of a Continent
URL: http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/AfricaFocus/
Librarian: Unsure
Contact: Madison, WI 53706
Notes:
Description: Africa Focus brings together, in digital form, two categories of primary and
secondary resources: research and teaching materials collected by University of
Wisconsin faculty and staff; and unique or valuable items related to these fields held by
the University of Wisconsin Libraries. This collection contains more than 3000 slides,
500 photographs, 50 hours of sounds from forty-five different countries, as well as a large
number of difficult to find texts that librarians, scholars, and other subject specialists
have deemed important to these fields of study. It is hoped that the search features of the
collection will be a convenient aid to scholarship, study, and teaching of these disciplines
Institution: University of Wisconsin
Collection: Africana Digitization Project
URL: http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/AfricaFocus/subcollections/AfricanaAbout.shtml
Librarian: Unsure
Contact: Madison, WI 53706
Notes:
Description: Although African studies is a relatively new discipline, the field has
generated a large body of publications in the past 45 to 50 years. Most of these of course
were published in garden-variety ways, in sufficient copies to remain reasonably
available in today's much improved document-delivery environment. Nonetheless, there
have been exceptions--materials that were published in limited, sometimes very limited,
quantities, but which have produced a demand beyond the capacity of their initial print
run to satisfy. In fact, fewer than ten copies were produced of the titles indicated below
by an asterisk.
Digitizing these then--and others like them--will significantly enhance their accessibility.
More to the point, it will make it possible for researchers in Africa to secure access to
them and thereby to circumvent--if only (so far) in a modest way--the longstanding and
apparently indefinitely continuing "book famine." In a way, the present project could be
seen as providing a template for further and future projects here and elsewhere. While no
amount of digitizing to hope to overcome this shortage, strategically based projects
throughout the western world can have a discernible impact on its effects.
Institution: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Collection: Land Tenure Center
52
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
URL: http://www.ies.wisc.edu/ltc/index.html
Librarian: Kurt Brown, Communications Manager
Contact: Land Tenure Center
Nelson Institute of Environmental Studies
University of Wisconsin-Madison
21 Science Hall
550 North Park Street
Madison, WI 53706
(608) 262-3657
kdbrown@wisc.edu
Notes:
Description: Established in 1962 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, LTC has
evolved into the leading university-based institution on land policy in the world. The
Center works in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and North America on
issues of land tenure and land use, agrarian reform, land markets, legislative drafting,
land registration and titling, institutional dimensions of rural development, and
environmental/natural resource management. The Center's mission of outreach is
furthered by its globally-recognized Land Tenure Collection housed in the University
library system, and its Publication Series, which strengthens the link between research
findings and policy formulation through technical papers, briefs, and other documents.
Institution: Yale University
Collection: African Collection
URL: http://www.library.yale.edu/african/
Librarian: Dorothy Woodson, Curator
Contact: Sterling Memorial Library, Rm 317
Yale University
130 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06520
(203) 432-1883
dorothy.woodson@yale.edu
Notes: Collection is separated by country. Amazing website, very easily accessed. The
Kenya part of the collection can be viewed here:
http://www.library.yale.edu/african/kenya.html
Description: The various components of the Yale University Libraries include some of
the most extensive and accessible collections of Africana in North America, if not the
world. The first acquisition of Africa-related material goes back to the earliest days of the
University's existence, and the impressive depth and breadth of holdings reflects the
diversity of the University Library’s strengths as well as generations of Yale scholars'
varied research pursuits.
Collection Subject Strengths
The African Collection has a particularly strong focus on Anglophone southern, central,
east, and west Africa; Francophone and Lusophone countries are also strongly
53
Libr281-03_Diehl_Gibney_Graves_Siqueiros_Stilwell_IIL_Fall 2007.doc
represented and there are considerable resources on all other areas, including the Indian
Ocean islands. Holdings on most southern African countries are close to exhaustive. Yale
has a most impressive collection of indigenous-language material, particularly creative
literature.
The Collection, while not a discrete entity, includes books, periodicals, and newspapers,
as well as extensive holdings of maps, photographs, and archival materials. The Yale
Divinity Library has perhaps, the largest and finest collection of Africa-related materials
on the continent, and the Manuscripts and Archives Center contains a singularly
impressive Africana manuscript collection. Equally imposing are Yale's Africana
microform collections, which include newspapers, dissertations, transcripts of political
trials, and political ephemera. Significantly strong collections are housed in other
libraries on campus, particularly the Social Science Library and the Economic Growth
Center.
54